BENTON CO. DEPUTIES SNIFF OUT RECORD POT HAUL

Benton County Sheriff's detectives seized more than $5 million worth
of marijuana plants earlier this week and will begin burning them today.

In an "eradication blitz" Monday and Tuesday, deputies collected more
than 5,000 plants, all more than 3 feet tall and ready to harvest,
said Deputy Joe Lusignan.

Had they been processed, they could have fetched from $5 million to
$7.5 million on the street, Lusignan said.

Most of the marijuana came from the western end of the county, in the
unincorporated areas around Benton City and Prosser. Lusignan said
the seizure occurred at six outdoor locations, all in agricultural
areas, where they spotted by air.

He declined to reveal specific locations, saying detectives are still
searching for suspects and looking for more plants.

There have been no arrests.

"We just found the plants; we haven't found the gardeners," Lusignan said.

The roundup marks a record for marijuana seizure in Benton County.

In 2003, deputies collected 900 plants.

"It's escalated every year," Lusignan said.

This year's count represents only two days, though deputies usually
search this time of year because plants are bigger and easier to spot.